Crowds turn out for Shelby radio festival

By Molly Phipps

Published: Saturday, August 31, 2013 at 04:34 PM.

A nod and a smile. These were found in abundance at the Shelby Hamfest on Saturday. Men carrying radio parts haggled with other men selling them, while children looked at swords for sale as their parents bought them sweets and orangeades.

Vendors sat beneath canopy tents selling not only radio parts, but also other unique items like swords, record players, computer parts, candles, painted glass bottles and movies.

A selection of CDs with recordings of “old-time radio programs” were also for sale, hearkening back to the heyday of radio with shows like The Lone Ranger and Cisco Kid.

Despite the warm day, thousands of people talked and laughed with others, enjoying a time of fellowship with a common interest.

A nod and a smile. These were found in abundance at the Shelby Hamfest on Saturday. Men carrying radio parts haggled with other men selling them, while children looked at swords for sale as their parents bought them sweets and orangeades.

Vendors sat beneath canopy tents selling not only radio parts, but also other unique items like swords, record players, computer parts, candles, painted glass bottles and movies.

A selection of CDs with recordings of “old-time radio programs” were also for sale, hearkening back to the heyday of radio with shows like The Lone Ranger and Cisco Kid.

Despite the warm day, thousands of people talked and laughed with others, enjoying a time of fellowship with a common interest.

Here's what Hamfest-goers had to say about ham radio and the event:

David Wray—Gaffney, S.C.

Why do you do ham radio?

It’s mainly for enjoyment, but in times of disasters, we can be communication tools. I’m a SATERN member (Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network). If a big catastrophe happens, we’d set up at the Red Cross and provide communication. We’re not CBers, we can go farther, worldwide communication is possible.

Are you glad Hamfest is back in Shelby?

I love it here in Shelby. We’ve had so many people compliment us and say they’re glad we’re back here.

Todd Cloninger—Dallas

What brings you to Hamfest?

I came to purchase electronics. I’m not into the ham radio but into other electronics.

Are you glad Hamfest is back in Shelby?

It’s more convenient for me in Dallas, but a lot of people like that there’s more indoor space here.

Dwight Garner—Chester, S.C.

What brings you to Hamfest?

I’ve got a small ham radio at the house. But I like to get out because you get to fellowship with people.

Are you glad Hamfest is back in Shelby?

My niece used to come up here; they used to have a booth here. I went to Dallas a couple of years, but I like it much better here.

Mike Schneider—Orlando, Fla.

What brings you to Hamfest?

We’re all ham radio operators.

What do you like about ham radio?

There’s so much you can do with it. You can talk around the world.

How do you like Shelby?

I like it here. We were comparing this to Orlando’s hamfest. It’s basically the same. We’re used to the heat.

Call letters: N4TIP

Butch Harris—Pensacola, Fla.

What brings you to Hamfest?

I come every year. I collect radios. I’m almost 70 and I’ve been a ham since I was 13. It’s kind of like a disease, and I caught it. I caught it on the way to piano lessons, which I never learned and never got to. I heard this beep-beep-beep coming from a window and the guy invited me in and it fascinated me. I’ve been a ham since.

What do you like about ham radio?

I’m not one of the hams whose enjoyment comes from talking. My enjoyment is from CW, Morse code.